Sun Bowl battle pits Duke against Arizona State

El Paso, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - The Duke Blue Devils and Arizona State Sun Devils will conclude their 2014 seasons on Dec. 27, as they meet up at Sun Bowl Stadium to take part in the Hyundai Sun Bowl.

David Cutcliffe's Blue Devils are taking part in their third straight postseason event after finishing the regular season at an impressive 9-3, including a second-place finish in the ACC's Coastal Division behind Georgia Tech. It is now safe to say Cutcliffe is building a strong program in Durham, as back-to-back seasons of 9+ victories is a first in school history for the Blue Devils.

This marks Duke's 11th all-time bowl appearance, although the team is just 3-7 in prior bowl games. The Blue Devils will try to buck a trend of sorts, as the team hasn't won a bowl game since the 1961 Cotton Bowl against Arkansas (7-6).

Duke's recent success is something Cutcliffe is proud of.

"To be selected to participate in the Sun Bowl is both a privilege and honor for our program," said Cutcliffe. "The tradition of the Sun Bowl is well documented, and it is exciting to become a part of that prestigious history. Obviously, I could not be any more thrilled for our seniors, who together become the first class in Duke history to play in three bowl games. That means a lot, and it should."

Todd Graham's Sun Devils also finished the year up at 9-3 and were also very much in the hunt in the Pac-12 Conference race. Arizona State however, dropped two of its last three games, leaving itself on the outside looking in on a conference championship bout. Still, a bowl bout with Duke is a nice consolation prize.

"This is a great opportunity for us to compete against a top-notch program and close out the 2014 season on a high note," Graham said. "We look forward to representing our university in El Paso with character, class and dignity."

Arizona State's bowl resume is a bit longer than Duke's, with this game marking its 28th postseason appearance. ASU is 13-13-1 all-time in the postseason, including last year's 37-23 loss to Texas Tech in the Holiday Bowl.

This marks the first-ever meeting between these two teams.

With the emergence of a run game that has eluded the Blue Devils in the recent past, Duke was able to keep opponents honest and take its offense to a new level in 2014. The team ranked fifth in the ACC and 42nd nationally in scoring at 32.5 ppg, while netting 183.3 ypg on the ground (45th nationally).

Duke amassed 24 rushing TDs this season, but used several different ball carriers to get the job. Tailbacks Shaun Wilson (590 yards, 8.0 ypc, 5 TDs) was the most explosive back, although players like Shaquille Powell (501 yards, 4.8 ypc, 2 TDs) and quarterbacks Anthony Boone (346 yards, 5 TDs) and Thomas Sirk (232 yards, 8 TDs) contributed as well.

Meanwhile, Boone had a strong season passing the ball, completing 56.9 percent of his throws, for 2,507 yards and 17 TDs.

A deep receiving corps is highlighted by senior wideout Jamison Crowder. Duke's all-time leader in receptions, Crowder posted team-highs of 78 receptions, 942 yards and six TDs, en route to All-ACC first-team honors. Isaac Blackeney (43 receptions, 521 yards) matched Crowder's TD catches (6).

The Duke defense had its ups and downs this season, but that doesn't take away from the fact that there are playmakers at each level.

Senior linebacker David Helton (All-ACC second team) had a huge season, earning All-ACC first-team honors with a team-best 125 tackles. There may not be a better safety tandem in the country than Duke's DeVon Edwards and Jeremy Cash. Edwards is second on the team with 119 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one interception and four forced fumbles. Cash (All-ACC second team) was the only defensive back in the nation to post 100+ tackles (103). 10+ TFL (10.5) and 5+ sacks (5.5). The 6-foot-2 junior also recorded two interceptions and four forced fumbles. Senior end Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo (42 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks) had a solid season coming off the edge.

Duke's defense will surely be tested in this contest by a potent Arizona State attack. The Sun Devils ranked third in the offensive-minded Pac-12 in scoring at 37.0 ppg, while churning out 446.5 yards of total offense.

Quarterback Taylor Kelly missed a few games under center due to injury, but still managed to throw for 1,874 yards and 20 TDs. It certainly helps to have great players at the skill positions and Kelly benefited from two of the Pac-12's best.

Junior wideout Jaelen Strong is a big target (6-3, 215) and certainly created mismatches all season long, finishing up with 75 receptions, for 1,062 yards and 10 TDs, en route to All-Pac-12 first-team honors as well as several All- America accolades. Meanwhile, junior tailback D.J. Foster (All-Pac-12 second team) also eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark, as he rumbled for 1,002 yards and nine TDs on a healthy 5.5 yards per carry.

Arizona State's defense could not match its offense in terms of production this season. The Sun Devils have given up plenty of yards (418.5 ypg) and have been known to be susceptible to the pass (261.8 ypg). However, that has led to opportunities as well, with ASU collecting 39 sacks on the season.

Strong play in the secondary is not exclusive to Duke, as AU has its own safety tandem of note in senior Damarious Randall and junior Jordan Simone. Randall, an All-Pac-12 first-team selection, topped the team in tackles (101), with 9.5 TFL, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery). Simone (90) tackles made his share of plays as well, with two INTs and one forced fumble. Senior end Marcus Hardison (40 tackles, 14.0 TFL, 10.0 sacks, 2 INTs, 3 FF) earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention.